“Do not be anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…”
Philippians 4:6
It was only two days ago when I wrote how our church family here at Shawangunk take prayer seriously…
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…”
Philippians 4:6
It was only two days ago when I wrote how our church family here at Shawangunk take prayer seriously…
For men who are shut away from society, we consider prayer to be a privilege, yet we are oftentimes viewed by many as outcasts. While in God's eyes, I believe we are looked upon as welcome guests as we stand before Him with our prayer requests and petitions.
And one of those requests came from a friend of mine who lives in another state. His name is Rick. And as a Christian he has lots of compassion for the incarcerated. Although he has never been in trouble with the law, he feels called to share his faith with those who are locked up.
When about a month ago I received a letter from Rick asking if my congregation could pray for a young woman by the name of Polly, and also for her father. Polly was recently “born again” while in the local jail awaiting trial for possession of drugs and shoplifting. From here, however, she began to attend the ladies Bible study class, and then placed her faith in Jesus, as well.
However, once she receives her sentence, Polly was transferred to the tougher county facility. So she asked for prayer that she would be safe, and things would go well for her. And she also asked for prayer for her dad, as he was in the hospital with a “serious heart issue.”
Lots of prayers were going skyward in her behalf, by myself and my congregation. Then another letter came from Rick a couple of weeks later telling me the good news that Polly is adjusting well to her new facility, and she has been attending Bible studies there as well. While in addition to this, her father had been taken off the ventilator and was breathing on his own. He was discharged from the hospital, too.
So Polly told Rick to please tell me how thankful she and her family are for the prayers that were said in their behalf. And I did just that when I read Rick's letter during this afternoon's worship service. Everyone was filled with joy at the news. God is good. He honors and highly values the prayers of those who happen to be incarcerated, and who love Him.
D.B.
And one of those requests came from a friend of mine who lives in another state. His name is Rick. And as a Christian he has lots of compassion for the incarcerated. Although he has never been in trouble with the law, he feels called to share his faith with those who are locked up.
When about a month ago I received a letter from Rick asking if my congregation could pray for a young woman by the name of Polly, and also for her father. Polly was recently “born again” while in the local jail awaiting trial for possession of drugs and shoplifting. From here, however, she began to attend the ladies Bible study class, and then placed her faith in Jesus, as well.
However, once she receives her sentence, Polly was transferred to the tougher county facility. So she asked for prayer that she would be safe, and things would go well for her. And she also asked for prayer for her dad, as he was in the hospital with a “serious heart issue.”
Lots of prayers were going skyward in her behalf, by myself and my congregation. Then another letter came from Rick a couple of weeks later telling me the good news that Polly is adjusting well to her new facility, and she has been attending Bible studies there as well. While in addition to this, her father had been taken off the ventilator and was breathing on his own. He was discharged from the hospital, too.
So Polly told Rick to please tell me how thankful she and her family are for the prayers that were said in their behalf. And I did just that when I read Rick's letter during this afternoon's worship service. Everyone was filled with joy at the news. God is good. He honors and highly values the prayers of those who happen to be incarcerated, and who love Him.
D.B.